Trump says new data centres are 'mandated' to make their own electricity and urges companies to pay communities a 'dividend'

US President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post at 5:37am GMT on Wednesday 21 October that new large data centres must generate their own electricity, and urged the companies behind them to pay local communities.

“As the President of the United States, I have been watching Data Centers very closely, and have come to a very strong conclusion. New and large, in some cases gigantic, Data enters are mandated by me to make their own electricity, and give or sell any excess back to the local community, or grid, and therefore there is electric price increase. In fact, there could be a substantial decrease. Other elements likewise! If companies want to make their Data Centers popular, pay the community, and/or individuals within the community, a “dividend.” I have watched the process closely, and Data Centers that were highly unpopular in a certain area, have become extremely popular when a financial deal is struck. MAKE DEALS, and get them built!!! GREAT FOR THE U.S.A. President DJT” Donald J. Trump on Truth Social (quoted as posted)

The post did not say which order or rule creates the “mandate”. In March, representatives of Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon Web Services, Oracle, OpenAI and SpaceX signed a voluntary “Ratepayer Protection Pledge” at the White House, committing to provide or pay for the power their AI projects need, Business Insider reported. “They’re going to be making their own electricity,” Trump said at the time.

The post was reported by The Economic Times. No company had publicly responded at the time of publication.

Truth Social blocks automated screenshots and the post was not shared on X, so it is quoted and linked instead.

See also: Microsoft pulls out of Nscale’s planned AI data centre in Essex over power delays and Trump’s Kansas rally posts on a $5,000 ‘Trump Dividend’.